What is the impact of COVID-19 on the climate change agenda?
11
However, many companies will emerge from the pandemic in a much weaker financial position, impairing their ability and willingness to make costly changes to their core operating models. After years of discussions, organisations should be prepared for the international response to the climate “emergency” to develop more rapidly now, too. The coronavirus-induced delay to the COP26 summit may have increased the likelihood that a united front will be achieved and meaningful action agreed, especially now that the United States is back on board. Indeed, the economic recovery from COVID-19 is closely tied to action on climate change in the minds of many, in terms of finding creative ways to drive growth via investment in low carbon technologies. A range of initiatives, such as “greening” existing housing stock, building the infrastructure for electric vehicles or developing the hydrogen economy, have significant potential to create real value and sustainable jobs for the future. Several of the planet’s most pressing problems could thereby be tackled in tandem.
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease